The number of fatal occupational accidents in our country is decreasing. Yet there were still 45 fatalities in the workplace in 2024, according to analysis by insurer AXA. A striking number of new employees lose their lives while at work.
Sven Ponsaerts
Journalist at HLN
Today, April 28, is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. While every fatality is one too many, national figures show an encouraging trend. The number of fatal occupational accidents in the workplace decreased from 62 in 2019 to 45 in 2024, according to the most recent data from the Federal Agency for Occupational Risks (Fedris), which insurer AXA analyzed. The number of fatal accidents during commuting also fell from 47 to 33 in the same period.
It traffic remains the greatest risk factor. More than a quarter (27%) of fatal occupational accidents in 2024 occurred on public roads. In 12% of cases a truck driver was the victim, in 9% a car driver.
The other most common causes of tragic workplace incidents also remained largely unchanged. A fall from a ladder, stairs or loading dock represented more than a fifth (22%) of fatalities. 16% of victims were fatally struck by falling or collapsing materials such as a crane load or a collapsed wall.
Machines, forklifts and aerial work platforms are sometimes life-threatening. 12% of workers died after being crushed or trapped in a machine. One in ten fatalities occur due to a collision or crushing during internal movements, for example with a forklift, an aerial work platform, or during loading and unloading of a truck.
Almost a quarter of fatal accidents occur in SMEs with fewer than 50 employees. Within these smaller companies, almost half of the accidents occur in the construction sector and 14% in the transport sector.
Newcomers are at greatest risk
One of the most striking findings from the data according to AXA is the vulnerability of employees with little seniority. At least 1 in 4 fatalities has been employed by the employer for less than a year. For fatal accidents on the way to and from work, this percentage even rises to 28%. These hard figures emphasize the absolute necessity of a thorough introduction and proper training from the very first working day, according to the insurer.
“The general decline is positive, but should never lead to us paying less attention to the problem,” says Audrey Amiot, director of corporate insurance at AXA. For every fatal accident at work, ten serious ones result in permanent disability, and no fewer than 300 result in temporary disability. “These figures hide extremely serious human tragedies for the victims, their loved ones and the companies. Prevention therefore remains essential.”
